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State Reg. <br />Vegetation Baseline Report for Seneca II Mine (Tab 10) and the <br />Revegetation Success Evaluation Report of Seneca II Revegetation Plot <br />(Tab 1;3, Attachment 13-I) productivities for the reclaimed land and the <br />native rangeland shrub use areas are comparable. <br />Area to be disturbed: <br />PAixed Brush (78% of proposed dist.) 1684 lbs./A. <br />Upland Sagebrush (22% of proposed dist.) 712 lbs./A. <br />.78 x 1684 = 1313.5 <br />.22 x 712 = 156.6 <br />1470.1 lbs./acres <br />Reclaimed areas were accredited with approximately 1450 lbs./Acre. <br />Furthermore, it should be noted that many of the reclamation clippings <br />occurred on reclaimed areas which were on prelaw, no topsoil <br />requirement areas. Approximately 50 percent of the production from <br />reclaimed areas, which was measured in this study, was produced without • <br />topsoil. Moreover, a greater variety of species "were encountered in <br />cover quadrats on the revegetation plot than either reference plot ... <br />(i.e. upland sagebrush or mixed shrubland). It was also noted that the <br />reclaimed diversity index was slightly lower on reclaimed areas because <br />of the predominance of alfalfa. However, it is also important to note <br />that approved seed mixes were designed to meet laws and regulations <br />which stressed total vegetation production instead of species diversity. <br />Also note that often times a range site which has received continued <br />excessive use will demonstrate greater species diversity (in response to <br />use) than a similar site which has received a level of use which does not <br />impair the competitive abilities of that site's dominant species. <br />Where introduced species are being used in the Postmining Land Use Plan <br />(Tab 13), the planting or seeding rate is such that plant diversity will be <br />ehhanced rather than allowing plant dominance (or predominance) to <br />stiffle diversity. Since all areas which will be disturbed under the <br />proposed permit are to receive topsoil, the seed source (which remains - . <br />naturally viable) in the topsoil will further enhance plant species <br />4-4 <br />